RSS Press releases

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economic Development Capital Programme sets out our plan for investing in economic infrastructure within our region over three years from 2021/22 to 2023/24. Members of the Council’s Economy and Resources Committee (15 Feb) will receive a report on the programme’s expenditure and an update on the three Stage 2 submissions to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF). Members will also be updated on Reshaping Stranraer and the West, including proposals for the former George Hotel, and an update on the Countryside and Biodiversity Programme which includes core paths.

Providing members agree, a grant of £238,627 is proposed for Lockerbie Old School group to help them accelerate the work of its design team to make the project ready to tender for works and maximise opportunity for the project to obtain RCG funding. This follows the successful submission to the RCG fund at the end of last year for Kelloholm Skills & Innovation Centre, who requested a grant of £2,313,889 and the submission for Old School Thornhill Hub for a grant of £1,100,000.

In addition to the above, In October 2019, our Council prepared and submitted a detailed Stage 2 funding bid to the RCGF requesting £1,349,488 for the Whithorn Sustainable Tourism and Community Hub project – to refurbish the town’s Victorian ‘New Town Hall’ to provide a community learning hub and bunkhouse for tourists attracted to Whithorn via the Whithorn Way long distance walking route. As part of that bid, an indication was given that our Council would provide co-funding for the project of up to £150,000 to enable infrastructure improvements to be made to the Whithorn Way itself, so that the economic benefits of the project via increased tourism numbers, extended dwell times in Whithorn (facilitated by the bunkhouse), and increased visitor spend could be fully realised. Members will be asked to agree that an offer of Grant of £149,828 be issued to the All Roads Lead to Whithorn project to enable it to proceed.

The report also covers progress made on reshaping Stranraer and the West of our region. This includes an update on the former George Hotel. A strategic developer has carried out a feasibility study on the former hotel and concluded that they could not utilise the building for any of their proposed used for various reasons (included in report). Therefore, our Council are currently looking at alternative end uses for the former George Hotel, within the context of relevant national and local policy, local regeneration needs, and funding opportunities.

As a result, an initial Preferred Way Forward has now been scoped out but will need further development. This suggests the creation of a visitor attraction through the establishment of a cultural centre. Having assessed all options this could comprise of a Community Arts Hub; Retail Space; Office Accommodation; or Visitor/ Bunkhouse Accommodation.

Rob Davidson, Chair of Economy and Resources Committee said: “It’s good to see so much investment and development in such a varied number of projects, covering the whole of our region. Many of the projects are utilising vacant buildings, bringing them back into community use by recognising projects that are needed locally. Our Council is happy to support, where we can, and help revitalise our communities and economy.”

Vice Chair, Archie Dryburgh said: “Many of these projects not only bring properties back into use but repurpose them into potential visitor attractions. Bringing visitors back into our region, particularly following Covid restrictions, will revitalise our economy, help businesses, hospitality and shops prosper, and revitalise our towns, a great knock-on effect.”